Featured Videos

County may ban non-native snakes

The Wilson County Commissioners Court is working with veterinarian Dr. George Hill to create a resolution outlawing residents from possessing nonindigenous snakes. . . .

You’ve reached your free access limit for this week. The full article is available to Wilson County News subscribers only (if you receive the paper in the mail or if you have purchased an E-subscription). Minimum subscription length is one year. If you are already a subscriber, simply sign in using the Login form in the upper right of this page.

The chances of tropical constrictors posing a hazard to either the citizens or animal life of Wilson County is negligible.
While I am certain the good Dr. is sincere in his concern, I wonder if he would be willing to ban the... More ›

The chances of tropical constrictors posing a hazard to either the citizens or animal life of Wilson County is negligible.
While I am certain the good Dr. is sincere in his concern, I wonder if he would be willing to ban the feral non-native species that most impacts native and non-native animals in wilson County: house cats.
It is interesting to watch how people clothe their deep seated and unreasonable opinions in the guise of public safety. I find the pattern of using the law to impose those prejudices on people to be distressingly predictable and ill-conceived. I hope cooler and more reasonable heads will prevail and that leadership of Wilson County will better prioritze their law making and law enforcement efforts.

@Tired of Labels. The child killed in Florida, Where did it state the snake was trying to eat the child? "but a full sized Boa is another story" Do you know anything about snakes? The albino python that killed the... More ›

@Tired of Labels. The child killed in Florida, Where did it state the snake was trying to eat the child? "but a full sized Boa is another story" Do you know anything about snakes? The albino python that killed the child in Florida, could get twice the size of a boa. "Pythons prefer birds or rats and mice or other small headed animals". Well it all depends on what type of python your talking about. There are some Australian pythons that prefer Lizards, and stuff like that. A big retic,or burm, or african rock. Will prefer something the size of a small goat,pig. A 25 foot long snake isnt going to eat a bunch of small rats... So maybe you should learn a little about the snakes your so against. Not all pythons get big. Ball pythons stay small, under 5 foot. Childrens pythons stay small, not a whole lot bigger than a corn snake. Even some boas stay under two feet in length, like the Kenyan sand boa.. The kenyan sand boa,would not be a threat to anyone, or anything. Other than maybe a few mice.. But would be included in the ban, if a ban of all non native species were to happen. There is no reason to ban all non native snakes. There may be reason to put some restrictions on some of the bigger snakes. Like maybe a limit to how many someone can own. Or the person has to have permits. The snakes need to be micro chipped. So if they do get loose, The snakes owner can be contacted, and be held accountable for any damage the snake did. There are way more options other than just outright banning these animals. But the county board, or whoever doesnt want to do that. They want what ever is easier for them. They dont care about the snakes, So its nothing to them to ban them. They are not going to loose anything, so why not just ban them. They dont care that there may be people in the county. People that make a living breeding and selling these snakes. These breeders may support their families, pay taxes, They may bring a good amount of money to the county. What happens next, when the county gets pushed by someone else. Hey I dont like dogs, so lets ban them now too.. Or hey there are way to many cats, so lets ban them.. Look at all the pet gold fish in this county. Way to many of them, Better ban them too. What happens when the politicians come after something you care about.. Look at whats going on with the guns right now. Its our right to own guns if we choose to.. We should have the same right, the same freedom to keep whatever types of reptiles we choose too... That was what makes the United States of America what it is.. Why some many people want to come here from other places. Freedom!!!!!! If you choose to not keep reptiles, great thats your right. Well those that keep them, should be allowed the same right. RIGHT?

We should ban some of the indiginous snakes too. Just ban all snakes. Why discriminate against non native snakes. Ban them all then we dont have to worry about them getting tangled in my lawnmower blade.

An extreme overreaction to a very unfortunate incident. Having dealt with Dr. Hill in the past, I would not rush to judgement on his opinion alone. He talks a good game, but does not inspire me with confidence. Isn't there... More ›

An extreme overreaction to a very unfortunate incident. Having dealt with Dr. Hill in the past, I would not rush to judgement on his opinion alone. He talks a good game, but does not inspire me with confidence. Isn't there a remedy in civil court for damages? My sympathy for your loss.
jscrick

Why not just introduce a law stating owners of poisonous animals must supply a minimum of 2 anti-venom per reptile or animal? They pay for the anti-venom and it is kept at the local EMR unit.
This would not inhibit any future... More ›

Why not just introduce a law stating owners of poisonous animals must supply a minimum of 2 anti-venom per reptile or animal? They pay for the anti-venom and it is kept at the local EMR unit.
This would not inhibit any future business or zoos and place the cost burden on those who keep the reptiles.

It is about time that Wilson County regulated and banned non-native reptiles. Having a 10 foot Albino python in your chicken house is not a plesant or wanted surprise! The male python killed a pygmy goat, a 40 lb dog who was... More ›

It is about time that Wilson County regulated and banned non-native reptiles. Having a 10 foot Albino python in your chicken house is not a plesant or wanted surprise! The male python killed a pygmy goat, a 40 lb dog who was trying to warn us, and 5 chickens. He may have also killed a clutch of Egyptian Geese hatchlings that couldn't fly. The snake escaped from a shelter for wildlife located just over the county line in Bexar county. A similar sized snake killed an infant in Florida. It tried to swallow the infant but a Python's jaw cannot open that wide, but a full sized Boa is another story. Pythons prefer birds or rats and mice or other small headed animals. Thank god for that but a snake the size of this Python could kill a human!